Angling means different things to all of us, we are a very divided sport.
And yet we are all bitten by the fishing bug in its numerous forms.
The threat to all our sport is very real and like most problems it creeps up on you slowly till it is too late.
I have belonged to all kinds of organisations within angling, A.C.A, S.A.A, N.A.S.A, etc. etc. The ACA was the only long term one.
The Angling Trust, I think is the way forward. However how many members have they in relation to number of rod licences sold, not a great percntage I bet.
We need a professional and powerful organisation to protect our sport. Which costs money and here is the problem, not many want to stump up the cash.
How about a pound for example on every licence sold? No choice just part of cost, straight to Angling Trust.
I always think how great it would be to have an angling organisation as good and solid as the R.S.P.B that would be worth celebrating............
answers on a postcard, dave

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smellynets.blogspot.com

I wrestled with exactly the same realisation over 30 years ago and penned many a letter to the various angling publications highlighting 'people power' and how angling easily had the potential numbers of participants to make any Government 'listen'.

Sadly, the one thing that has remained unchanged in that time about all aspects of angling, is the almost universal apathy among anglers themselves.

Hi, anglers apathy is the reason I suggested a pound on the rod licence.
What about a "tax " on nylon or fluro, mind you I think one already exists on fluro!
I seem to think that some tackle companies in the U.S. donate a percentage of profit to Angling causes.
atb, dave

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smellynets.blogspot.com

Dave,

With all due respect, I'm not sure that 'a pound on the rod licence' would be feasible. Reason being the conflict of interest. By which I mean, rod licence revenue is collected by the EA - the very Government department that the Angling Trust (and its predecessor) has to confront (and inevitably threaten)about its failings.

A better idea, perhaps, would be for all angling clubs to require new and renewing members to be a member of The Angling Trust as a mandatory condition of membership of the club they are seeking to join.

However, until membership of protctive bodies such as the AT becomes second nature among the angling fraternity, then I'm afraid the 'problem will continue as it always has.

The pound on a licence was just an idea to get anglers to pay up whether they like it or not. I too doubt it would happen however someone might come up with a brainwave!
Imagine the great PR the government would get from funding some thing like the Angling Trust, around 4 million voters on side
cheers, dave
its our money in the first place, so why cant they divert some to Angling Trust etc. I think anglers would like to see some value for money with the licence money.

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What about a 50p, £1 or 1% of sale price voluntary "tax" on each and every fishing rod sold to fund the AT ? You only need to read some of the "is a Sage alphabet soup 5-weight better than a Loomis blinged-up butt section Charlie Jardine special ?" posts on here to see what a money spinner that would be. Sportfish already offer a 5% discount and matched donation to WTT members.

I don't begrudge the EA my licence fee money each year, they do a good job, so "I think anglers would like to see some value for money with the licence money" is perhaps a tad unfair.

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"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton

I think you will find that most anglers are already giving to angling organisations, i give to WTT & S&TA willingly, and that the debacle over the setting up of the Angling Trust and their subsequent inability to publicise their achievements has left many potential subscribers doubting the effectivity of this organisation.

I had a chat with a representative of the AT in 2009 and asked if they had any intention of promoting their cirrent campaigns and success rates, he stated that they did.
Last year i had the same conversation with another AT rep at the BFFI, if they don't promote their success and detail their current campaigns then they will never see subscription take-ups.
Witness their current approach to the EA regarding a possible increase in Cormorant cull numbers, has anyone seen this campaign publicised or seen any progress reports ?, a mention in FF&FT initially was all i saw, nothing since.
Make a change and people will come on board, don't and they won't simple as that really

Tough one this; I get the idea that the AT would rather spend their money on funding law cases and thereby securing damages for clubs and riparian owners than on publicising themselves. I have just received a periodical telling me about some successes, but that's rather preaching to the converted......

Like weebeedee, I happy subscribe to S&TA, WTT and the Grayling Society as well as AT.

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"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton

Publicity can be free through news articles etc, attendance at shows and publicity in periodicals whilst costing money has to be regarded as money well spent, they may be hard up for funds but without letting people know what they are doing they will never state their case to potential subscribers.
The longer they leave it the less money they will have available for this.

I don't begrudge the EA my licence fee money each year, they do a good job, so "I think anglers would like to see some value for money with the licence money" is perhaps a tad unfair.[/QUOTE]

A lot of anglers I speak to have no idea or care what the EA do all they know is they pay a fee to them every year. And they have lots of new vehicles and nice office buildings.
I know they do a good job however they dont seem to promote themselves too well.
I just hope someone reading this thread can think of a way to motivate all anglers into some action.
cheers, dave

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